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Children's centres facing the axe

Overall, 12,132 residents responded to the public consultation on recycling centres, compared to 3,797 for the children's centres.

During the same period, the council received six petitions to keep particular recycling centres open and received three for Boxgrove, Mytchett and Leatherhead Trinity children's centres.

The decision to go ahead with axing the children's centres but keep the recycling centres open has been met with sadness and anger from families.

St. Pauls CofE infant school and children's centre in Tongham (Image: Grahame Larter)

Sue Brown, head teacher at St Pauls CofE infant school and children's centre in Tongham, said parents were angry the council appears to care more about rubbish than children.

"I am really saddened that the decision has been taken to close these children's centres," she said.

"Some families will no longer have access to any universal services such as new baby groups, play and learn and drop in advice cafés.

"I understand that financial savings must be made but current centre leaders in our borough had a plan to provide savings and still retain services for the whole borough - these it seems, have been brushed aside.

"Parents using our services are sad and angry that it seems rubbish means more to elected members than children."

"Around 450 people signed a petition to keep Boxgrove open and we were completely ignored by Surrey County Council.

Guildford resident George Potter said he started the petition because of concerns that the closure of Boxgrove would leave families isolated (Image: Alexander Brock)

"Our children’s centre is vital to our community. Having it on our doorstep means it’s easily accessible and it helps local parents get to know each other.

"Without it families will fall through the cracks and I’m sure, in the long run, that will cost far more to the NHS, social services and local schools than closing Boxgrove will ever save the council."

Guildford mum Molly Forbes added: "I just think it is really, really sad that other new families, new mothers, won't get the same help and chances that I got."

The Guildford Liberal Democrats also condemned the decision, saying: "Children’s centres are vital to communities and not just for the services they provide.

"Residents will, rightly, be furious that families will be left paying the price for the council’s financial mismanagement."

Speaking at the cabinet meeting last month, council leader Tim Oliver defended the decision to go ahead with the closures of the children's centres.

"With children's centres it's important to note the service is currently failing those who are most in need. The support isn't getting to them early enough," he said.

"The service has to be shaped around getting support to these families. Many of whom never use the service.

"Our focus must be on prevention and early intervention wherever possible and the proposed changes mean we can get those services right into the communities and into the homes of the families that need us the most."

Children's Centres

Recycling Centres

Respondents to public consultation

3,797

12,132

Petitions received by council

3

6

How many people signed petitions (by council deadline)

971

14,236

Money saved from proposed closures

£4.4 million by 2021

£800,000 a year

Sylvia Whyte, who started the petition to save Lyne Recycling Centre, said she was "delighted" by the decision to keep the tip open, but "concerned" other centres would still close despite being granted a reprieve.

She said: "I don't hold out much hope, to be honest. Just listening to what they were saying at the cabinet meeting last week, it just seems an easy target that they are going to close them although from what I understand it won't save a lot of money."

Regarding the suggestion that the council was prioritising rubbish over children's centres, she said: "Regarding Lyne it's the only tip in the whole borough and it serves a very wide community. If it was closed and people had to go elsewhere, it would be a 45 minute round trip to our nearest one.

"But it's not good news that the children's centres are closing. It does affect local families and some of those people can't travel."

A Surrey County Council spokesman said: “Families who are most in need – many of whom never use children’s centres - aren’t getting help early enough so it’s essential we shape the service around their needs.

"By taking support deeper into communities to the homes of those who need it most we will address their needs far earlier. Our plan to retain a mobile centre is part of our strategy to make sure the services we provide are more important than the buildings we do it from, while we’ll work with partners to make sure other services continue. Many other highly-rated councils already use a similar structure with extremely positive results.”